animal farm essay on boxer

Boxer’s Tale: the Heart of Rebellion in “Animal Farm”

This essay about Boxer from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” examines the character’s symbolic representation of the working class and the consequences of blind loyalty to corrupt leadership. It discusses Boxer’s dedication and sacrifice, highlighting his significant yet exploited role in the success of Animal Farm, and his eventual betrayal by the leaders he unwaveringly served. The essay critiques the dangers of naivety and the importance of skepticism in the face of manipulation, using Boxer’s trust in the pigs’ leadership as a cautionary tale. It reflects on the broader themes of power, betrayal, and disillusionment within political movements that promise equality but deliver tyranny. In summary, Boxer’s story is presented as a critique of totalitarian regimes and a reminder of the need for awareness and resistance against injustice, showcasing Orwell’s exploration of political oppression and the moral costs of revolution.

How it works

In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the character of Boxer, a diligent and steadfast cart horse, epitomizes the virtues of commitment, resilience, and selflessness. His depiction offers a poignant commentary on the plight of the working class and the tragic repercussions of unwavering allegiance amidst corrupt governance. This discourse delves into the symbolic essence of Boxer’s persona, unraveling his significance in the allegorical tapestry of the Russian Revolution and the overarching motifs of authority, betrayal, and disillusionment.

Boxer’s rallying cry, “I will labor harder” and “Napoleon’s decrees are sacrosanct,” encapsulates the unwavering fealty and tireless labor that Orwell scrutinizes.

Despite his monumental contributions to the prosperity of Animal Farm, Boxer’s fate serves as a grim indictment of the exploitation endured by the proletariat under authoritarian rule. His eventual abandonment by the very leadership he dutifully served mirrors the somber reality of political movements that, under the guise of egalitarianism, perpetuate subjugation and despotism.

Furthermore, Boxer’s persona serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of credulity and underscores the imperative of critical discernment in the face of propaganda. His inability to discern the pigs’ machinations and his unwavering faith in their authority underscore the susceptibility of the masses to manipulation and the distortion of truth by those in power.

The tragedy of Boxer extends beyond his personal demise to encapsulate the collective response of his fellow animals. His downfall elicits not only sorrow but also a resigned acquiescence, emblematic of the erosion of optimism and the prevailing sense of resignation among those who have borne witness to the perversion of their ideals. Boxer’s narrative serves as a stark admonition, underscoring the toll exacted by surrendering autonomy to the seductive promises of autocratic regimes.

In summation, Boxer’s portrayal in “Animal Farm” emerges as a potent emblem of the indomitable spirit, unwavering loyalty, and eventual exploitation endured by the working class under despotic regimes. Through Boxer’s lens, Orwell probes the themes of authority, treachery, and the indispensability of critical inquiry, furnishing a timeless critique of political repression and the ethical compromises inherent in revolutions. Boxer’s enduring legacy within the narrative serves as a rallying call for vigilance, skepticism, and the courage to confront injustice, lest the cycles of oppression perpetuate unimpeded through the annals of history.

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Animal Farm

George orwell, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions, boxer quotes in animal farm.

“I will work harder!”

“I have no wish to take life, not even human life,” repeated Boxer, and his eyes were full of tears.

“Napoleon is always right.”

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Analysis of the role of Boxer in Animal Farm

Animal Farm Coursework

Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory of the situation in Russia during the communist years and a satire of the political situation at that time. The story is about political ideals and what can happen to them, as well as what happens to ordinary people when other people have power over them, and what happens to people when they get complete power over others as shown in the behaviour of the pigs. Orwell chose to create a character that would represent the common people of Russia at the time of the Revolution. This character was Boxer, who not only represented the Russian peasant, but also the idealized worker, someone ordinary, decent and totally necessary to the success of any social system. He is the type of person who in a revolution, is inevitably exploited and it is this that comes through in the story.

Boxer’s name suggests a strong but stupid animal, which proved to be true, as he was unable to read or write: “Boxer could not get beyond the letter D” because of his short memory. Orwell points this out to the reader to warn him of the danger of illiteracy in a society. Despite this lack of intelligence, however, Boxer plays a very important role in the success of the farm. Many things would not have been accomplished, such as the building of the windmills or the general farm work, had it not been for Boxer. The pigs depended on him for his seemingly never-ending source of strength: “nothing could have been achieved without Boxer, whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together”. It is this strength and simplicity of the lower working class that was exploited by Stalin in real life.

The pigs also used him to persuade the other animals to not question their authority or the decisions that they made. Boxer does this subconsciously by the use of his own mottos and as he puts them into action: “Squealer made excellent speeches on the joy of service and the dignity of labour, but the other animals found more inspiration in Boxer’s strength and his never-failing cry of ‘I will work harder!’” But by doing this Boxer is unwittingly acting as Napoleon’s tool and is encouraging his dictatorship. The other animals on the farm follow Boxer’s lead because of their respect for him, Orwell highlights this to remind the reader that everyone has a responsibility as a role model for others and that this will affect their behaviour.

Although it may seem, on the surface, as if Boxer is purely fanatical about work, as he continually repeated his motto “I will work harder”, an underlying reason may be that it enables him to avoid making decisions for himself.  Another motto Boxer frequently used that served the same purpose was: “Napoleon is always right” and the pigs used this to quash opposition to Napoleon’s rule, even after Boxer’s death.

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It was this over generalization in Boxer’s mind that would cancel out any disagreements he may have had in his mind and made it dull. These excuses for not thinking continually stopped Boxer from seeing the reality of the situation on the farm and it blunted his sensitivity to his surroundings. In the end, it left Boxer as a robotic being because his mind had been left to waste away. But it was only by his maxims that Boxer was able to survive the hardship of the farm, for to him they seemed to be “a sufficient answer to all problems”. More often than not when Boxer was faced with a situation that he didn’t understand his solution was work. It was a security blanket to him, something to lean on no matter what he encountered. An example of his dependency on work is shown after the confessions and executions: “I do not understand it…The solution, as I see it, is to work harder. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings”. Boxer cannot face the future without work and without the ability to work he faces death. This is just so with the Russian peasants. They would seek their work in times of trouble, as it was the one thing that was sure. Later on, Stalin like Napoleon cultivated this and used it for his own purposes.  

        At the beginning of Animal Farm Boxer and Clover are shown to be the personification of the normal, everyday married couple. Towards the other animals Boxer is kind and gentle, he even shows a caring nature towards the man whom he kicked down, but this eventually changes as time goes on. This change in his nature is shown when he pinned one of Napoleon’s dogs to the ground after they had turned on him: “Boxer looked at Napoleon to know whether he should crush the dog to death or let it go.” Boxer is prepared to take away a life in an instant and without remorse. Orwell shows us this change in Boxer’s nature so that we might see how much influence the pigs have had on his character, as well as the way in which work has blunted his sensitivity to his surroundings and to others. Also the fact that Boxer looked to Napoleon to instruct him at this point shows the extent that he will go to if asked by Napoleon, but he doesn’t realise that he himself is a target.

Also, at this point, Orwell is revealing the potential power of Boxer, which was shown to us earlier in the book before democracy had ended, in the Battle of Cowshed. Boxer’s might is shown to us for an instant when he disagrees with Snowball and kicks over the man. The importance of education is revealed to us in this moment, for if only Boxer could read he would be a formidable opposition to Napoleon, unfortunately though his memory lets him down time and again.

Boxer’s relationship with Benjamin is that of a silent friendship: “the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking”. Their devotion to each other never wavered. Boxer had the same affection for him at his death, as he did at the beginning of the story. But the difference in their natures is obvious. Boxer is trusting and believes in others and up to the executions he even believes in the morality of the other animals. Unfortunately Boxer’s trusting nature becomes his downfall. Benjamin, on the other hand, trusts no one and believes in no one except for Boxer and himself.

Another difference between these two is that Boxer talks in a simple manner which reflects his character, whereas Benjamin often talks in riddles if he talks at all suggesting a mysterious, complex and unknown mind and character: “When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone, he would say only “Donkeys live along time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey,” and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer”. Benjamin represents the intellectual of the time. He knows so much more about the truth than the others and yet he refuses to accept or acknowledge it.

Boxer’s death is the most moving scene in the book. Orwell has formed a sentimental attachment between the powerful character of Boxer and the reader. Therefore, the reader becomes emotionally involved with Boxer as the injustice of how he is treated is shown so openly. The sheer scale of the corruption of the pigs and their total self-interestedness is revealed in this chapter. Orwell chooses to express this by using irony and the naivety of Boxer’s character, an example of this is after he has fallen: “I had only one month to go in any case … to my retirement. And perhaps, as Benjamin is growing old too, they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me.” Of course, as the story unfolds, we see that there will be no retirement for Boxer or the rest of the animals in the future. It was for the pigs that he had devoted his life to the cause, and it would be because of them that he would die. Orwell constructed this situation, so that the figure of Boxer and the reader’s attachment to him clarify the reader’s hatred for injustice; this is the effect that Orwell seeks. Also it gives us an insight into the lives of the Russian peasants of the time. They were being worked to their deaths and the promises of a better future that they clung to, were empty.

After Boxer’s death the reader is informed that, “The pigs have acquired the money to buy themselves another case of whiskey”. The reader immediately understands that the source of this money is from the sale of Boxer’s body even if the animals (apart from Benjamin) do not, and we begin to hate the pigs for the animals, as they are blind to what is happening. Orwell adds this point to show the pigs total lack of regard for life and the lengths that they will go to, to satisfy their alcoholic addiction. It also ironic as it causes the reader to think back to the time of Jones and the consequences of his addiction to alcohol. The allegory is that Stalin was no different to the Tsar before him. Nothing had changed; he was still using the people to serve his own purposes. We see that Old Major’s warnings are to come to pass.

The irony is that when Boxer was alive, he believed that he was working towards a better, more comfortable future for the animals. In reality his life of work had strengthened the dictatorship of Napoleon and had had the effect of making life far worse for the animals than they had ever know. For the windmill which Boxer had devoted so much of his time was used for the pigs not the working animals as he had been fooled into thinking: “The windmill had been successfully completed at last … the windmill, however, had not after all been used for generating electrical power. It was used for milling corn, and brought in a handsome profit … but the luxuries of which Snowball had once taught the animals to dream … were no longer talked about … the truest happiness, he (Napoleon) said, lay in working hard and living frugally”. Boxer had lived his life for a lie. His life was used against the animals rather than for them as he had always thought.

In conclusion, Orwell uses Boxer’s character to illustrate the reality, the harshness of the life of the Russian peasant. No only this, but their determination and their overwhelming sense of loyalty to the Russian Revolution and to their leaders. This is the allegory’s underlying meaning of the character’s role.

Orwell’s overall purpose in his treatment of the character of Boxer is to firstly arouse the reader’s sympathies for him by making him strong, honest, loyal and devoted to the cause of Animalism. Although he is not very clever and it irritates the reader that he simply accepts everything the pigs tell him without question, we become attached to his character. Secondly, Orwell cleverly converts the reader’s feelings of affection for Boxer into anger against the pigs, and the injustice that they personify, by the way in which they so cruelly dispose of him. It is for these to reasons that Boxer is vital to the structure of the reader’s sympathies in the story. This is what makes him such an important character.

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• Word Count 1986
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• Subject English

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Animal Farm by George Orwell: Literary Analysis Essay

The significance of the novel’s title, the major themes emerging from the novel, important passages and their significance, the setting of the novel and its effects on the plot, the main characters and their motivations, important relationships among characters in the novel, the narrator of the story and impact of his perspective on the narration, the ending of the novel, recommendation of the novel, works cited.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is often discussed as an allegorical story having the features of the fable and satire. The significance of the novella’s title is in its satirical nature. An animal farm is traditionally discussed as a place where animals are bred by humans. The farms are usually named after the owner. However, Animal Farm is rather different. It is a place where animals are owners of the properties (Orwell 6). While referring to the meaning and significance of the phrase which is used for the title of the novella, it is important to emphasize the opposition between animals and humans as well as their differences.

The name “Animal Farm” is chosen by the characters in order to accentuate the meaning of this specific place where animals can rule instead of humans and without being exploited by them. However, the ownership of the farm by animals is a rather provocative idea. While focusing on the fact that the purpose of the novella is to present the political regime in the Soviet Union before World War II, it is possible to state that the title is significant because it stresses on the inhuman nature of Joseph Stalin’s regime.

Providing the title for the work, Orwell seems to ask the questions about the differences in the regime of the Soviet Union and irrational rule of animals at the farm. The satirical title is significant because the reader also starts asking questions about the political and social meaning of the work’s message and ideas. Using the metaphor in the title, Orwell draws the readers’ attention to the Animal Revolution as his allegory to demonstrate the results of the Russian Revolution of 1917. That is why, the title is significant to represent the double meaning of the story and stimulate the readers’ interpretation of the literal and allegorical aspects of the title’s meaning.

The major themes represented in the novella are the leadership and power in the Soviet Union, corruption, inequality, the role of an individual in the society, exploitation, and control. In his novella, Orwell discusses the power in the Soviet Union as unlimited and focused in the hands of the elite, as it is typical for the totalitarian governments. These leaders are allegorically described in the characters of pigs which are powerful, but selfish, brutal, and vicious.

The theme of corruption is discussed with the help of stating that the absolute power makes people corrupted or depraved because of receiving the unlimited resources. Thus, those pigs which were the leaders of the Animal Revolution betrayed their ideals and principles and chose to live in Manor’s house because of the convenience and extreme desire to satisfy their needs while ignoring the needs of the other working animals.

These animals chose to follow the principle “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” (Orwell 112). Thus, Orwell also discusses the themes of inequality and the role of an individual in the society. In spite of the fact that the Animal Revolution was declared to be organized for the welfare of all animals, only the leaders received the real benefits. The same situation was observed in the Soviet Union. The social stratification and the division into rich and poor were not overcome, but these problems were hidden now.

The other significant themes discussed in the fable are exploitation and control supported by the leaders of the revolution. The pigs were satisfied with the work of hard-working animals, but any differences in the views could result in violent punishment. This allegory represents how Stalin chose to resolve the problems with dissenters. Thus, the institution of control in the Soviet Union was People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs, and the guarantee of the pig’s control was dogs which were used to persecute dissenters.

The first passage that attracts the reader’s attention is Major’s speech about the role of a man in the world. Thus, Major states in his speech, “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing…Yet he is lord of all the animals” ( Orwell 6 ). Major notes that a man makes animals work, but he does not care about them and only “prevent them from starving” ( Orwell 6). Major persuades the animals that they are better than men, and they have to rebel while focusing on the threats of exploitation. This statement reflects the Socialists’ arguments declared during the Revolution period. However, the significance of the passage is in the fact that the pigs forget about their statements and ideals while receiving some power, and they begin to exploit the others.

In Chapter 3, the principles of the Socialists’ attitude to work and the belief of the poor men in the better future are reflected. The horse Boxer becomes the inspiration for each animal at the farm because he follows the principle “I will work harder!” (Orwell 25). This principle is actively followed by lower class animals, but it is also used by the pigs to exploit workers. The ideology prevents these animals from seeing the real situation at Animal Farm.

The expulsion of Snowball with the help of dogs can be discussed as the important allegorical description of the struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky observed in the Soviet Union. Napoleon used any means to realize his goals. Thus, he even used dogs to fear Snowball and other animals, “there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws” (Orwell 48). Napoleon could not support his leadership with the other resources, and he used violence to state his high social position. This moment is symbolic to represent the deterioration of any Socialist principles declared at Animal Farm.

The next significant passage is about judging Snowball as a scapegoat. This moment is important to describe the reality of Animal Farm and make the reader think about the Soviet Union. Snowball was accused of any crime at the farm only because he did not support Napoleon. Thus, “If a window was broken or a drain was blocked up, someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it” (Orwell 66). This situation is the first step in persecution of ‘suspicious’ animals who were killed because of possible relations with Snowball. Thus, the authorities used all the cruel methods to justify and support their regime while violating the basic principles of their ideologies.

The setting of the novella is imaginary Manor Farm located in England. This place becomes the communal territories owned by the animals after the Animal Revolution. The time period associated with the described events is not stated clearly. Animal Farm becomes the place where animals live according to the principles of Animalism and equality of all the animals. These equal animals have the only enemy in men who previously exploited them (Orwell 4).

Concentrating on the allegorical meaning of the novella, it is possible to note that the setting of the story is the Soviet Union after the period of the Russian Revolution in 1917 and during the rule of Joseph Stalin. The setting can be considered as affecting the plot significantly because all the described events occur at Animal Farm where animals try to develop the communal way of life. This farm becomes the place where the pigs win the people and receive the power.

It is possible to state that the story could be told in a different setting, but the features of the fable can be lost because the main distinctive feature of the novella is its allegorical character. While putting the characters of the novella in the real-life setting, it is possible to discuss the moments from the history of the Soviet Union without using any allegories and metaphors in order to accentuate the dramatic features of the regime. That is why, this story about the corrupted leaders and exploited workers presented in a different setting can be discussed as ineffective to reveal the author’s main idea.

The main characters of the novella are Napoleon, Snowball, Boxer, Squealer, and Old Major. The character of Napoleon is based on the personality of Joseph Stalin. This ambitious pig tries to become a leader at Animal Farm after the death of Old Major. Napoleon uses all the means to achieve the goal, and these means are mostly persuasive speeches and unlimited violence. As a result, Napoleon can be described as a political tyrant.

The character of Snowball is based on the personality of Leon Trotsky, the main rival of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union. Snowball is an idealist, and he also wants to become a leader at Animal Farm, but he fails because of avoiding the use of extremely violent means and because of basing only on clear reasoning. That is why, Napoleon makes Snowball to become a scapegoat in order to receive the opportunity to cope with the smart competitor.

Boxer is a cart-horse who represents the working class at Animal Farm. Boxer works hard in order to contribute to the farm’s intensive development. He is loyal, strong, naïve, and dedicated to the ideals of Animalism. Boxer can be discussed as motivated by the belief in the better future and achievements of the working animals.

Squealer is a pig who develops the active propaganda at Animal Farm in order to support Napoleon’s ideas and personality (Orwell 20). This pig speaks in a language that is understandable for other animals, and he is motivated by possible Napoleon’s appraisal.

Old Major is an old pig whose character is written basing on the personalities of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Old Major is rather wise, and he is focused on finding better ways for living at farm while avoiding the exploitation of the animals as the lower class (Orwell 3-4).

The character to whom it is possible to relate oneself is Boxer. This cart-horse is the appropriate choice because he discusses the hard work as the only way to build the better future, and he tries to inspire the others to do their best to create something good.

The novella is based on the description of the problematic relationships between Napoleon and Snowball. These pigs are rivals in their fight for leadership at Animal Farm. In spite of the fact that both Napoleon and Snowball orient to receiving the unlimited leadership and influence, the methods which they use to complete the goals are different. That is why, Napoleon who uses violence and fear becomes more powerful than Snowball who uses reasoning. Although Napoleon and Snowball start applying the ideals of Animalism to the regime at Animal Farm as a team, they need more leadership after the death of Old Major. These relations are typical for the ruling class where the fight for power is not only extreme but also prolonged.

The other type of relationships is described with references to workers Boxer and Benjamin. Orwell describes these animals’ relations the following way, “the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking” (Orwell 4). The horse and the donkey represent different visions and attitudes to the world and situation, but they live to support each other. Boxer can be described as more enthusiastic and positive while discussing the ideals of Animalism. Benjamin is more passive in spite of the fact that he understands the real situation at Animal Farm. Benjamin chooses not to do anything to fight cruelty of Napoleon’s regime. Thus, this character represents the visions of the majority in the Soviet Union.

The narrative point used in Animal Farm is third-person, and this point of view can be discussed as impersonal and omniscient because Orwell is not presented as a character in the work. First, it seems that the narrator’s perspective is limited, but then it can be found that readers know more than animals which are discussed in the story. Thus, the anonymous narrator not only retells the actions of the animals, but he also presents the motives and thoughts of such characters as Napoleon, Squealer, Boxer, and Benjamin (Orwell 3-14). As a result, this perspective can affect the way according to which the story is told and understood by the reader. The used approach helps accentuate the differences observed in the pigs’ words and their actions toward horses and other animals who work hard to support the commune.

The narrator can also be described as detached, and there are more opportunities for the author to present and develop the allegorical meaning of the novella while focusing on the real motivation of such characters as Napoleon and Squealer while comparing their words, thoughts, and actions with the activities of the other animals at the farm (Orwell 58-64). This point of view is effective to be used in the allegorical novella because the reader can understand all the hidden meanings of the described activities and words while referring to the narrator’s ironical remarks and hints. That is why, the choice of the perspective is rather appropriate to address the idea or message of this satirical story.

The ending of the novella can be discussed as appropriate to represent the result of corruption of the ideals and principles developed at Animal Farm. Thus, animals betrayed their ideals because of the benefits of working with their human enemies. However, the last scene demonstrates that animals and men have many features in common because of their focus on cheating, exploiting, and expanding only their own properties. The quarrel between animals’ leaders and people observed by the other animals through windows of the house reveals that “the creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which” (Orwell 118). Thus, Orwell effectively stresses on how tyrants can use the ideals against the lower classes and support their power with the methods used by the previous leaders.

Animal Farm should be recommended for reading to others because this allegorical novella is helpful to understand the nature of the totalitarian regimes which can be based on the effective ideals. Furthermore, the novella is interesting to help readers become detached from the historical reality associated with the Russian Revolution and look at the events from the other perspective. The satirical anti-utopian story makes the reader think about the true nature of many things observed in different types of the society. In his work, Orwell effectively discussed the threats of the totalitarian regimes which can be corrupted because of the aspects of the human nature. That is why, the novella can be actively recommended to the readers to look at the political events from the perspective of the satirical fable.

Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1990. Print.

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George Orwell

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Study Help Essay Questions

1. Compare the lives of the animals when they live under Jones and under Napoleon. In what ways has Napoleon proven himself a similar tyrant?

2. Closely examine old Major's speech to the animals in Chapter 1 and discuss the ways in which he uses language to persuade his listeners.

3. Explain how one of the novel's minor characters (such as Mollie or Moses) illuminates Orwell's major themes and issues.

4. Examine Orwell's tone when describing the way the animals think of themselves under Napoleon's rule: How does Orwell's tone add to the novel's humor?

5. Explain how the human characters contribute to the novel's themes and issues.

6. Based upon Animal Farm , what deductions can a reader make about the kind of political system of which Orwell would approve?

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